We suggest dilution in a carrier oil of your choice, such as House of Aromatics organic cold-pressed Jojoba oil. Add 8-12 drops essential oil to 1 one ounce carrier oil. Can be applied directly to skin periodically for severe instances, 1-3 drops to afflicted area. Can be used tonically as perfume. Do not over do! Diffuse via steam or gentle heat, generally NOT all the time around children. Consult your midwife if pregnant or for infants before using any essential oil diluted or diffused. Handle carefully with children, elders and pets. Use with Wisdom & Intention.

Cones: Male and female cones on separate shrubs, in clusters at branch tips; pollen (male) cones round to egg-shaped, about 3-5 mm long; seed (female) cones berry-like, dark blue often with a greyish bloom, round, 8-12 mm long with 3-8 fleshy scales; produced from April to May, seed cones mature in 2nd year

Habitat: Dry, open sites or open forest; plains to alpine; Alaska to New Mexico, generally high-altitude 8,000-10,000 feet

-This species, is over much of the globe, It is the only circumpolar conifer in the northern hemisphere

Traditional Uses and History of Plant:

-This plant was not widely used by native peoples, but Europeans used the berry-like cones medicinally to make teas for aiding digestion and appetite, for stimulating sweating, urination and mucous secretion, for treating diarrhea, heart, lung, and kidney problems, as a wash for swelling and inflammation (Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar, Plants of the Rocky Mountains)

-The Blackfeet used juniper tea to treat lung and venereal diseases (Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar, Plants of the Rocky Mountains)

-Juniper needles were dried and powdered as a dusting for skin diseases, they were also boiled or burned like incense to purify homes and protect the inhabitants from disease and evil spirits. (Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar, Plants of the Rocky Mountains)

-The Navajo burned the juniper to make ‘good luck’ smoke for hunters (Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar, Plants of the Rocky Mountains)

-The ‘berries’ are usually added as flavoring in meat dishes, soups, stews, used like pepper (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-The oil from the berries was mixed with fat to make salves for protecting wounds from irritation by flies (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-The berries stimulate and disinfectant urination by irritating the kidneys (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Stimulate production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and contractions in the uterus and intestines (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Some studies have shown berries to lower blood sugar caused by adrenaline hyperglycemia, suggesting that they may be useful in the treatment of insulin diabetes (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Berries are anti-septic and studies by the National Cancer Institute have shown that junipers contain antibiotic compounds that are active against tumors (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Strong juniper tea was used to sterilize needles and bandages and during the Black Death in the 14th-century Europe doctors held a few berries in their mouth to avoid infection from patients (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Juniper smoke or steam was inhaled to relieve colds and chest infections (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-It was given to women to speed up labor and after birth as a cleansing, healing agent (Kershaw, Edible Plants of the Rockies)

-Cross-culturally from the Letts to the Chinese to the Pueblo Indians the plant/ aromatic qualities have been used against bad magic, plaque, and negative influences, for protection (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West)

-The leaves are traditionally carried about in pouches and clothes, often the only protection or medicine carried by the Tewa Indian -Urinary tract herb for cystitis and urethritis (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West)

-Juniper needles can be added to a bath water for stimulating effect on rheumatism (Elepls, Botany in a Day)

-Berries are the most disinfectant and the leaves are astringent as they are aromatic (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West)

-It appears that the berries and the leaves are used interchangeable for kidney issues; it is not 100 percent clear when they are referring to juniper tea if they are referring to just the berries or the needles or both…it appears that they have overlapping qualities and could both essentially be used.

Monoterpenes: are effective airborne deodorizers and purifiers, emotionally uplifting and often provide an analgesic effect where muscle pain and stiffness are present

Safety: Oils high in monoterpenes can cause skin irritation, not water-soluble, avoid in bathtub unless they are well diluted in carrier oil or fatty substance (stillpoint)

Monoterpenols: are effective anti-infectious agents; being anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and/or antiviral, non-toxic, mild on the skin, and mucous membranes. great for long-term use, tonic for the nervous system, support emotional balance, and nourish and strengthen the immune system. (stillpoint)

-For arthritis or gout make a massage oil with 5 drops juniper oil to 1 ounce olive oile and massage several times a day (Rose, The Aromatherapy book)

-Inhale for memory, combines well with rosemary (Rose, The Aromatherapy book)

Safety: People with kidney problems and pregnant women should never take any part of this plan internally. In Europe, an old name for juniper was ‘bastard killer’ because it was used to produce abortions, sometimes with fatal results for the women (Kershaw, MacKinnon, and Pojar, Plants of the Rocky Mountains)

No FDA Approval! This article is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. This profile is for education about traditional uses and what scientific research is learning about the complexity of phyto-chemistry. Do not use this document to treat or diagnose any dis-ease.

Hydrosol

Disclaimer! None of the statements would be or are approved by the FDA. Not meant to diagnose or treat anything! Educate yourself by studying ethno-botany, seek out herbalists, plant a garden, learn about wild plants. Do not use internally. Keep away from heat and direct light. Keep safe from young ones. Use with Wisdom & Intention.

Hydrosols

Hydrosols

$14.00

This versatile product has many uses, from hygienic to therapeutic, for personal use and around the home or office. Hydrosol is the re-condensed steam water produced by steam-distilling plant material.